Drexel DeFord is New CHIME Board Chair

January 25, 2012

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) announced that Drexel DeFord, senior vice president and CIO at Seattle Children’s Hospital, will serve as 2012 chair of CHIME’s board of trustees.

DeFord’s three-year term on the board, which began in 2010, culminates with his role as 2012 chair. A 13-year CHIME member, Fellow and Certified Healthcare CIO (CHCIO), DeFord brings nearly a quarter century of information systems management experience to the board.

“CHIME continues to evolve in meeting the needs of its members, through education and ongoing communication, as the healthcare industry increasingly turns to CIOs for IT leadership,” DeFord said in a statement. “2012 is set to be a year of unprecedented challenges and opportunity for the healthcare industry, and CHIME members must lead the charge for their hospitals and health systems.

“Technology is interwoven with every challenge – and the solution to every challenge – we face, from ICD-10 to Meaningful Use and beyond,” DeFord added. “IT is a clinical and business force multiplier. To succeed, collaboration is essential, between IT and the C-Suite, clinicians, the back office – everyone. And no one knows this better than CHIME member CIOs.”

DeFord has served on numerous CHIME working groups, including the membership committee, Fall Forum planning committee, and CHIME Foundation strategic advisory council.

“I can think of no one better suited than Drex DeFord to lead CHIME’s Board in this, our 20th Anniversary year,” said Rich Correll, president and CEO of CHIME.

“While we continue our dedication to supporting healthcare CIOs, this is also a moment for reflection on the incredible contributions our members have made over the past two decades – both to CHIME and healthcare as a whole. With Drex now at the helm of the board the next year is also very much about the future – new goals, new directions, new relationships. We are proud to have him lead the team.”